fort donelson location

Capture Of Forts Henry And Donelson Wallace, Isabel, and William Hervy Lamme Wallace. Bushrod Johnson of the Confederate Corps of Engineers had approved the build site and supervised construction completed in early 1862. To visit the Fort Heiman unit, near New Concord, Kentucky: The physical address for the Fort Heiman unit is: 682 Fort Heiman Road, New Concord, KY. To access Fort Heiman from the south/ at Paris Landing, TN: Near the park headquarters at Paris Landing State Park, turn on TN 119 N. Highway 119N turns into KY 121 at the state line. On February 14, Union gunboats under Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote attempted to reduce the fort with gunfire, but were forced to withdraw after sustaining heavy damage from the fort's water batteries. No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. The site commanded a bend on the west side of the Cumberland River, It was planned to support Fort Henry, which is located on a bend in the Tennessee River about 10 miles to the west. The Confederates had pushed the Union defenders back one to two miles (23km) and had opened their escape route. ", Animated history of the Battles of Forts Henry and Donelson, Newspaper coverage of the Battle of Fort Donelson, Battles for Forts Henry, Heiman & Donelson, American Civil War: Battle of Fort Donelson, Battle of Fort Donelson: Brief Summary of Location, Strategies, and Casualties, Siege of Fort Donelson, 1216 February 1862, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_Fort_Donelson&oldid=1163446981, Hamilton, James J. Fort Donelson > Location: Dover, Tennessee > Built: 1862. On February 15, the Confederates tried to break out of the Yankee perimeter. Before that he'd been only a light smoker, but after finding that he couldn't give them all away, took to smoking them, which probably contributed to his later death from throat cancer. The Battle of Fort Henry took place February 6, 1862, during the American Civil War (1861-1865) and was one of the first actions of Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant's campaign in Tennessee. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, who accepted Grant's demand of unconditional surrender later that evening. . Gen. Ulysses S. Grant from an obscure and largely unproven leader to the rank of major general, and earned him the nickname of "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. The enemy will have to be in a hurry if he gets ahead of me. Buckner also turned over considerable military equipment and provisions, which Grant's troops badly needed. The Union garrison consisted of four companies (404 men) of the 71st Ohio Regiment. [28], Eight Union sailors were killed and 44 were wounded while the Confederates lost none. Only several thousand troops managed to escape before Fort Donelson was surrendered on February 16. Once you see the main sign for Fort Heiman, follow the brown NPS signs for the site. 33 Civil War Forts You Can Still Visit - Page 7 - 24/7 Wall St. Subscribe to the American Battlefield Trust's quarterly email series of curated stories for the curious-minded sort! Fort Donelson Battle Facts and Summary Donelson, TN Map & Directions - MapQuest 0 cemeteries found. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata. Gen Ulysses S. Grant's capture of. Information about The Battle Of Fort (Ft.) Donelson, a Western Theater Civil War Battle of the American Civil War. Fort Donelson National Cemetery - Find a Grave Of the estimated 24,500 Union troops who fought at Fort Donelson, total casualties were around 2,700. Forrest's horsemen rode toward Nashville through the shallow, icy waters of Lick Creek, encountering no enemy and confirming that many more could have escaped by the same route, if Buckner had not posted guards to prevent any such attempts. Brigadier General John McClernands division attempts to reform its lines, but the ongoing Rebel attacks continue to drive his forces to the southeast. PO Box 434 The local population in western and central Kentucky was pro-Confederate. These trenches, located on a commanding ridge and fronted by a dense abatis of cut trees and limbs stuck into the ground and pointing outward,[17] were backed up by artillery and manned by Buckner and his Bowling Green troops on the right (with his flank anchored on Hickman Creek), and Johnson/Pillow on the left (with his flank near the Cumberland River). Updated on July 03, 2019. Fort Donelson near Dover, Tennessee. Grant reasons, correctly, that the Confederate right must be greatly reduced in strength given the heavy assault from the Confederate left. [20], On February 11, Buckner relayed orders to Pillow from Floyd to release Floyd's and Buckner's troops to operate south of the river, near Cumberland City, where they would be able to attack the Union supply lines while keeping a clear path back to Nashville. From Nashville, it is best to take I-24 to Clarksville, and, in Clarksville, take Highway 79 South to Dover. Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Dover - Tripadvisor Gen. Ulysses S. Grant advanced 12 miles to invest Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River. Fort Donelson National Battlefield 4.5 202 reviews #1 of 6 things to do in Dover National Parks Battlefields Visit website Call Write a review About This marks the site where Confederate general Simon B. Buckner surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, Union general. Directions - Fort Donelson National Battlefield (U.S. National Park The First American President: Setting the Precedent, African Americans During the Revolutionary War, Help Save 125 Battlefield Acres in Virginia, Help Restore History at Gettysburg, Cold Harbor & More, Help Us Save Hallowed Ground in Tennessee and Kentucky, Help Save 820 Acres at Five Virginia Battlefields, Save 343 Acres at FIVE Battlefields in FOUR Western Theater States, Save 42 Historic Acres at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Support the American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act, Stop the Largest Rezoning in Orange County History, Nothing but God Almighty Can Save that Fort. McClernand ultimately decided that he did not have enough men to stretch all the way to the river, so Grant decided to call on more troops. By February 13, most of Grants soldiers are positioned on the landward (western) side of the fort. Despite Grant's success to date, Halleck had little confidence in him, considering Grant to be reckless. Esposito, map 26; Gott, pp. Smith, and Lew Wallace. Jealous of the attention given to a man he felt was beneath him, Halleck soon started a behind-the-scenes effort to undermine Grant. [45], Inexplicably, generals Floyd and Pillow were upbeat about the day's performance and wired General Johnston at Nashville that they had won a great victory. Flag Officer Andrew H. Footes ironclads move upriver to bombard Fort Donelson. In 1854, their paths crossed again in New York City. Nashville would fall to Union troops within a matter of days. Floyd's background was political, not military, but he was nevertheless the senior brigadier general on the Cumberland River. Fort Donelson National Battlefield Gen. Ulysses S. Grantis determined to move quickly to capture the much larger Fort Donelson, located on the nearby Cumberland River. 37058, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. New programs have been added to the wide variety of programs and activities planned for visitors of all ages during Fort Donelson National Battlefield's 161st anniversary of the Forts Henry, Heiman and Donelson campaigns. Constructed with donations from around the country, and coordinated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, dedicating it in 1933. Two regiments of Col. William R. Morrison's brigade, along with one regiment, the 48th Illinois, from Col. W.H.L. This earned him the nickname Unconditional Surrender. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) promoted Grant to major general after the battle. Grant left orders that none of his generals was to initiate an engagement and no one was designated as second-in-command during his absence. However, there are restrooms and a small pavilion with interpretive panels, and an accessible audio station is available for your convenience. You will see the remains of most of the fort's earthen wall. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant into the national spotlight and enabled Union advances up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Halleck had authorized Grant to capture Fort Henry, but now he felt that continuing to Fort Donelson was risky. [9], On February 6, Grant wired Halleck: "Fort Henry is ours. [55] Close to a third of all of Albert Sidney Johnston's forces were now prisoners. However, this would leave the Confederate forces at Fort Donelson heavily outnumbered. Stay up-to-date on the American Battlefield Trust's battlefield preservation efforts, travel tips, upcoming events, history content and more. Official MapQuest - Maps, Driving Directions, Live Traffic Esposito, map 29: 11,500. The commanders received national recognition for their victories in February 1862, as they were the first major Union successes of the war. We recommend that no matter which way you come, that you use a map-finding service, such as Google Maps, to find usthe addresses to enter: Fort Donelson Main: 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, Dover, TN, 37058, Fort Donelson National Cemetery/ Park Headquarters: 174 National Cemetery Drive, Dover, TN, 37058. On February 6, Grant was ordered by General Henry Halleck to assault Fort Donelson immediately and capture it by February 8. Smith in command. Halleck was all too happy to do so. There was general agreement that Fort Donelson was probably untenable. This council in early 1862 was the last one that Grant held for the remainder of the Civil War. Despite Grant's earlier orders, Wallace's units moved to the right with Thayer's brigade, giving McClernand's men time to regroup and gather ammunition from Wallace's supplies. Construction was started by a large force of workers brought from the nearby Cumberland Iron Works. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-fort-donelson. What can I do while at Fort Donelson? He is disappointed to receive Grants terse response: No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. Rates vary. 161st Anniversary Of Donelson, Henry, Heiman Civil War - radio NWTN [15] The Union forces proceeded about 5 miles (8km) on the two main roads leading between the two forts. While Halleck was instrumental is supporting Grants campaign, he had not been stationed in Tennessee and had not participated in the engagements there. Dover, Tenn.-. Battle of Fort Donelson | Union Victory, Confederate Surrender 17475; Woodworth, p. 91. Profiles of America's Most Threatened Civil War Battlefields. Nevin, p. 82; Gott, pp. Contact 623 W. Main St Lebanon, TN 37087 See Location Details Get Directions (615) 444-2265 ATM available. [22], General Grant had Commander Henry Walke bring the Carondelet up the Cumberland River to create a diversion by opening fire on the fort. February 11-16, 1862: One of the first major Union victories was then-Brig. A stalemate had existed since the Southern victories at First Manassas and Wilson's Creek in the summer of 1861. Gen. Gideon Pilloworders the attacking Rebel force back to their earthworks, causing them to abandon the hard-fought gains of the morning. Grant was away from the battlefield at the start of the attack, but arrived to rally his men and counterattack. In his memoirs, Grant looked back on that meeting with Buckner: In the course of our conversation, which was very friendly, he said to me that if he had been in command, I would not have got up Donelson so easily as I did. By 9:30a.m., as the lead Union brigades were falling back, Nathan Bedford Forrest urged Bushrod Johnson to launch an all-out attack on the disorganized troops. General Pillow was designated to lead a breakout attempt, evacuate the fort, and march to Nashville. [32] In the meantime, McClernand's ammunition was running out, but his withdrawal was not yet a rout. [18], On February 12, most of the Union troops departed Fort Henry, where they were waiting for the return of Union gunboats and the arrival of additional troops that would increase the Union forces to about 25,000 men. The Confederates took control of Forge Road and a key section of Wynn's Ferry Road, opening a route to Nashville,[35] but Buckner's delay provided time for Lew Wallace's men to reinforce McClernand's retreating forces before they were completely routed. Grant had captured more soldiers than all previous American generals combined, and Johnston was thereby deprived of more than twelve thousand soldiers who might have provided a decisive advantage at the impending Battle of Shiloh in less than two months time. Halleck slipped out of the lie he created by saying that Grants questionable actions were well intentioned and for the public good, and then he cleared him: There never has been any want of military subordination on the part of General Grant.. Join us online July 24-26! Generals Floyd and Pillow abandon their men and flee across the river, whileLt. Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest, disgusted with the Confederate decision to surrender, takes his cavalrymen and escapes down the Charlotte Road. Main Phone : (757) 596-2222 Security: (757) 591-7777 After Hours . During the night, Confederate leaders discuss their options. "[38], True to his nature, Grant did not panic at the Confederate assault. Grants soldiers hear the Confederate cheers as the gunboats withdraw. Smiths division captures large stretches of the earthworks before dark. On February 15, with the fort surrounded, the Confederates, commanded by Brig. Poor winter weather, late-arriving reinforcements, and difficulties in moving the ironclad ships up the Cumberland delay Grants advance on the fort. On February 11, Johnston appointsBrig. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. When President Lincoln demanded proof of his star generals misdeeds, Halleck could not deliver any concrete evidence against Grant. On the right, McClernand also ordered an unauthorized attack. There were three miles (5km) of trenches in a semicircle around the fort and the small town of Dover. On the Union left, C. F. Smith sent two of his four brigades (under Cols. February 15 and 16. The capture of forts Henry and Donelson in Tennessee were major victories for Ulysses S. Grant. 16566; Cooling. The three divisions were commanded by Floyd (replaced by Colonel Gabriel C. Wharton when Floyd took command of the entire force) and Brig. Buckner is said to have once joked, Granthas many merits and virtuesbut he has one deadly defect. The Union victory at Fort Donelson forced the Confederacy to give up southern Kentucky and much of Middle and West Tennessee. Fort Donelson was a fortress built early in 1862 by the Confederacy during the American Civil War to control the Cumberland River, which led to the heart of Tennessee, and thereby the Confederacy. While Grant contemplates an extended siege, the Confederate leadership devises a bold plan to mass their troops against the Union right to force open a path of escape. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union. [4] In mid-May, on the west bank of the river not far below Dover, Anderson laid out the water battery of Fort Donelson, twelve miles (19km) from the Kentucky line. In keeping with Grants hopes for reconciliation and unity, two former Union generals and two former Confederate generals served as pallbearers at his funeral. I told him that if he had been in command I should not have tried in the way I did: I had invested their lines with a smaller force than they had to defend them, and at the same time had sent a brigade full 5,000 strong, around by water; I had relied upon their commander to allow me to come up safely outside their works.. McClernand grumbled "This army wants a head." Pillow, normally quite aggressive in battle, was unnerved and announced that since their movement had been detected, the breakout was sent back. The fort was captured by Union General Ulysses S. Grant and his army during a winter offensive to control of the Mississippi River. [54], The casualties at Fort Donelson were heavy, primarily because of the large Confederate surrender. It was garrisoned by the Confederacy until 1862 when Union General Ulysses S. First, Halleck suggested to McClellan that the army promote C. F. Smith over Grant, pointing out that by his coolness and bravery at Fort Donelson when the battle was against us, [Smith] turned the tide and carried the enemys outworks. Next, he sought a promotion for himself, imploring McClellan: I must have command of the armies in the West. Get HISTORYs most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week. Johnson was too cautious to approve of a general assault, but he did agree to keep the infantry moving slowly forward. This page was last edited on 11 April 2023, at 02:39. The Cumberland River was dammed in the 1960s; this area is currently referred to as Lake Barkley. Sir: Yours of this date proposing Armistice, and appointment of Commissioners, to settle terms of Capitulation is just received. [12], Grant's Union Army of the Tennessee of the District of Cairo consisted of three divisions, commanded by Brig. McClernand, C.F. Smith's division forming the left. Poor winter weather, late-arriving reinforcements . 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. Grant's army now divided Confederate Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston's two main forces: P.G.T. Location Info. Frequently Asked Questions - Fort Donelson National Battlefield (U.S After capturing Fort Henry on the Tennessee River on February 6, 1862, Brig. American Battlefield Protection Program (U.S.). No An official form of the United States government. Grant never suspected his superiors were considering relieving him, but he was well aware that any delay or reversal might be an opportunity for Halleck to lose his nerve and cancel the operation. The Union victory at Fort Donelson (and Fort Henry, it's sister fort) was the first great victory for the North. A. After this withdrawal of Forrest's cavalry, the Union troops moved closer to the Confederate defense line while trying to cover any possible Confederate escape routes. One of them was Simon Buckner. 28488. On February 13, one of Ulysses S. Grants (1822-85) officers, Brigadier General John McClernand (1812-1900), initiated the Battle of Fort Donelson when he tried unsuccessfully to capture a rebel battery along the forts outer works. [41] Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window). Grant never knew of Hallecks direct role in the episode that almost cost him his career until twenty years later, when he was doing research for his Personal Memoirs. The park has a 6-mile trail with Our FREE Virtual Teacher Institute is the can't miss online educator event of the summer. Fort Donelson Facts Location: Fort Donelson, Tennessee Dates: February 11-16, 1862 Generals: Union: Ulysses S. Grant | Confederate: John B. Floyd Soldiers Engaged: Union Army: 24,000 | Confederate Army: 16,000 Outcome: Union Victory All Rights Reserved. In addition, visitors can read a historical marker discussing the Battle of Fort . Later, the fort was attacked by a Confederate force of 450 infantrymen, 335 cavalrymen, and two field guns. Fort Henry. February 14. Grant was stunned, writing later, Thus in less than two weeks after the victory at Donelson, I was virtually in arrest and without a command., Hallecks false allegations eventually caught up with him. [8], On the Union side, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, Grant's superior as commander of the Department of the Missouri, was also apprehensive. On Wikipedia. Smith was now in a good position to move on the fort, having captured the outer lines of its fortifications, and was under orders to launch an attack with the support of other divisions the following day. Floyd was a wanted man in the North for alleged graft and secessionist activities when he was Secretary of War in the James Buchanan administration. Gott, pp. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Fort Donelson had only about 5,000 men. On August 25, 1863, a Confederate force attacked the fort and demanded surrender by Union troops. Nevin, pp. He stormed out of the meeting and led about seven hundred of his cavalrymen on their escape from the fort. Be watchful of all drivers and curves on the road. Fort Donelson in Dover, TN (Google Maps) - Virtual Globetrotting [17] Buckner was to move his division across Wynn's Ferry Road and act as rear guard for the remainder of the army as it withdrew from Fort Donelson and moved east. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Pillow, who arrived at Fort Donelson on February 9, was displaced from overall command of the fort when the more-senior Floyd arrived. (In 1854 Grant was removed from command at a U.S. Army post in California, allegedly because of alcoholism. The park has a 6-mile trail with 11 stops. The two parties involved were the Unionists, commanded by the then Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant, and the Confederates, led by Brigadier General John B. Floyd. Troops were moved behind the lines and the assault readied and they broke through Union lines, but Grant sent them back to Fort Donelson reeling. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. Early in the war, Union commanders realized that control of the major rivers would be the key to success in the Western Theater. The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. [30], The Confederate plan was for Pillow to push McClernand away and take control of Wynn's Ferry and Forge Roads, the main routes to Nashville. Stewart County, TN | Feb 13 - 16, 1862 The decisive Union victory at Fort Donelson thrust Brig. At 111:00a.m. on February 14, Floyd held a council of war in his headquarters at the Dover Hotel. He left his command without my authority and went to Nashville.I can get no returns, no reports, no information of any kind from him., McClellan took the bait, replying: Generals must observe discipline as well as private soldiers. USS Fort Donelson drawing. It was in this attack that Union troops in the West first heard the famous, unnerving rebel yell. Nearly 17,000 Confederate soldiers, combined with improved artillery positions and earthworks, convince Floyd that a hasty retreat is unnecessary. [14], Floyd's Confederate force of approximately 17,089 men consisted of three divisions (Army of Central Kentucky), garrison troops, and attached cavalry. Nevertheless, they had had a good morning. Gen. John B. Floydas the commander of Fort Donelson and the surrounding region. The Battle of Fort Donelson. Battle of Fort Sumter | Location, Significance, & Map | Britannica The Battle of Fort Donelson: The American Civil War He sent orders to General Wallace, who had been left behind at Fort Henry, to bring his men to Fort Donelson. The Confederate artillery pummeled the fleet and the assault was over by 4:30p.m. Foote was wounded (coincidentally in his foot). After attempting in vain to escape their tenuous position on February 15 via roads to Nashville, the Confederates capitulated, surrendering Fort Donelson to the Union on February 16.[4]. Columbus was evacuated on March 2. Dover, Despite two hours of repeated counterattacks, the Confederates could not repel Smith from the captured earthworks. Grant was suddenly a national heroto all, it seemed, except his superior officer, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck. Grant had written in his memoirs that if all Union troops in the west were unified under a single commander to capitalize on the victory at Fort Donelson, the fighting in the western theaters of the civil war would've been closed quickly. Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner, now in command, meets with Grant to determine the terms of surrender. Updated: May 26, 2020 | Original: December 2, 2009. The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 1116, 1862, in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. [citation needed], Nearly 1,000 soldiers on both sides had been killed, with about 3,000 wounded still on the field; some froze to death in the snowstorm, many Union soldiers having thrown away their blankets and coats. Fort Donelson National Battlefield preserves Fort Donelson and Fort Heiman, two sites of the American Civil War Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign, in which Union Army Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant and Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote captured three Confederate forts and opened two rivers, the Tennessee River and the Cumberland . There is no visitor center, and the site is not staffed regularly. [6], With the surrender of Fort Henry, the Confederates faced some difficult choices. The Union army retreats, but inexplicably, ConfederateBrig. The Battle of Fort Donelson was an early battle in the American Civil War (1861-1865). [46], Floyd, who believed if he was captured, he would be indicted for corruption during his service as Secretary of War in President James Buchanan's cabinet before the war, promptly turned over his command to Pillow, who also feared Northern reprisals. 37058, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. [Harper's Ferry, W. Va.]: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Center for Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnership Program, Heritage Preservation Services, American Battlefield Protection Program, 1998. Kentucky was lost and Tennessee lay wide open to the Yankees. It was redesignated a national battlefield on August 16, 1985. The surrender was a personal humiliation for Buckner and a strategic defeat for the Confederacy, which lost more than 12,000men, 48 artillery pieces, much of their equipment, and control of the Cumberland River, which led to the evacuation of Nashville. Most of Tennessee fell under Union control, as did all of Kentucky, although both were subject to invasion and periodic Confederate raiding. This page was last edited on 4 July 2023, at 22:47. Disgusted at the show of cowardice, a furious Nathan Bedford Forrest announced, "I did not come here to surrender my command." Fort Henry had been a key position in the center of a line defending Tennessee, and the capture of the fort now opened the Tennessee River to Union troop and supply movements. Coordinates: 362935N 875118W Fort Donelson was a fortress built early in 1862 by the Confederacy during the American Civil War to control the Cumberland River, which led to the heart of Tennessee, and thereby the Confederacy. Fort Donelson

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